May and June are the months when Northern California gardens are at their most beautiful. Because it was a cooler than usual winter, the rhododendrons were a little late to bloom. The Rhododendron festival held by the local Noyo Chapter at the Mendocino Botanical Gardens was held the second weekend of this month and I was blown away by the variety and beauty of of the flowers. We have the perfect weather for them here on the coast.

For the first time I submitted one of mine and won an honorable mention in the ‘pink’ category, much to my surprise.

Here’s a close up.

There are several huge rhodys (to use the familiar) on the property, probably over 50 years old.

I am surprised they are doing so well as I didn’t do much watering last summer, but they are spectacular.

They had lots of Rhododendrons for sale at the show and I couldn’t resist.

They do so well with our acid soil and in our climate. As a plus they are not bothered by redwood roots.

Take a look at this one…

I couldn’t resist, it’s spectacular. Our garden is expanding!

And they make gorgeous, long lasting arrangements for the house.

What’s going on in the rest of the garden. Well, the roses are blooming and the sweet peas are starting.

Those who are regular readers know that I plant them in honor of my English grandmother who had them growing up the side of a fence in her garden. I love the scent and they make lovely arrangements.

In the perennial garden the geums, columbines, foxgloves and salvias are blooming.

When I first planned this garden I wanted cool colors; blues, purples and some orange. Well, the best laid plans… It’s a bit of a mix up now with me concentrating on what will grow and flourish. The red salvias have definitely found a home, not a color I originally wanted, but the hummingbirds love them.

The vegetable garden is producing lots of lettuce. The cabbage, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower are coming along. And I see the first of the zucchini, still too small to cook but I look forward to popping them on the grill.

We’ve added two new outdoor carpets on the decks, and 4 new chairs on the front porch.

Our deck will need to be replaced sometime in the next couple of years. Sigh!

Here’s a quick look at the pollinator meadow. The two birdhouses were adopted much to our joy. Chickadees in the back one and a pair of tree swallows in the nearer one. The other birdhouses have not been rented and we will move them before next year.

The sweet William and lupins are blooming.

Along the front drive the Spanish lavender is in full flower, the native bumblebees are happy. I planted some new dahlias between the plants and they are about 2 inches high. They should be in bloom in late summer when the lavender is finished.

That’s all, much of my time in the garden right now is my least favorite activity…weeding. Thank goodness for Audible.

Happy gardening everyone. I love your comments, let me how your garden is doing.